Canada halts transfer of drone technology to Turkey over Karabakh War
Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks during a press conference at the Von Wattenwyl Haus in Bern, Switzerland, 24 August 2020. Champagne is on an official visit to Switzerland.
EPA-EFE/ANTHONY ANEX
Canada’s foreign minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Monday said he has suspended export permits to NATO ally Turkey, which is backing Azerbaijan in the conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Champagne added he had instructed officials to investigate claims that Canadian drone technology is being used in the fighting. The move follows reports that Ankara has deployed dozens of unmanned aircraft in combat against Armenian forces in the region. Morocco has also announced a boycott of Turkish goods over the conflict.
Armenia and Azerbaijan were part of the Soviet Union and have been involved in a territorial conflict since gaining independence within the 1990s. The main issue is the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians.
The fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27. Each side has accused the other of targeting civilians. Both sides have rejected talks and ignored growing international calls for a ceasefire.
Turkey, which has military cooperation deals with Azerbaijan, accused Canada of creating obstacles concerning the export of military equipment to Turkey “in a way that does not comply with the spirit of alliance”: “Our expectation from Canada, is to lead a policy that stays away from double standards, to act without falling under the influence of anti-Turkish groups in the country and without being trapped by narrow political interests”, Turkey’s foreign ministry said.
According to figures by the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, Turkey’s military exports to its ally Azerbaijan have risen six-fold before the fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh broke out.
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